Syracuse Mayor-elect Stephanie Miner names city's lawyer

Syracuse, NY - Mayor-elect Stephanie Miner today named Juanita Perez Williams as the city's top lawyer in her administration.

Perez Williams is employed as an state assistant attorney general in the AG's Syracuse regional office. She currently lives in Baldwinsville, but plans to move into the city.

Perez Williams, a native of southern California, has been with the AG's office for about a year. Prior to that, she worked for Syracuse University as its director of judicial affairs and associate dean of students.

In the 90s, she served as an officer and senior prosecutor in the Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps for six years. She achieved the rank of lieutenant commander.

Miner said she selected Perez Williams because of her creativity, insight and dedication to public service.

"As a general goal, we'll be using the Corporation Counsel office as a force for creativity rather than a tool to block different things," Miner said.

Rory McMahon, who currently serves as Corporation Counsel, is still under consideration for a position in Miner's administration, she said.